Centrifugal machine



Dec. 4, 1951 K CLARK 2,577,647

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE original F11-ed sept. 2s, 1940 4 sheets-sheet 1 FIG. Il

Dec. 4, 1951 K. CLARK 2,577,647

' CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE Original Filed Sept. 28, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIC-).2

INVENTOR.

gym M W my DCC. 4, K CLARK CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Sept. 28, 1940 ENTOR.

LM BY wat Dec. 4, 1951 K, CLARK 2,577,647

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE Original Filed Sept. 28, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 .FIGA

latented Dec. 4, 11951;

yonls'rRIFUGAL MACHINE Kendall Clark, Oakwood, Ohio, 'assignorrto GeneralA Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application May 8, 1944, Serial No. 536,097, which is a division of application Serial No. 358,871, September 28,1940. Divided and this application August 17, 1945, Serial No. 610,985

` with all of thev advantages-accruing from such a construction.' K Other objects of the invention hereindisclosed, are covered -by other applications-fh )v n y l. V77An'obje'ct of this invention is to provide a centrifugal machine for washing clothes or thelike, having a rotatable basket, an agitatorwithih Athe basket, a rotatable cageffixedly vsecured' tojthe basket, planetary" gearing in the cage operably 3 Claims; (Cl. 210-72) connected yto the agitator and driving means vse lectively rotating the cage and basket orreciprocating the'agitator. f j vi Another object of lthis invention 'is toprovide acentrifugal machine which automatically counterbalances .the variable load producedfby unequal ldistribution ofV clothes within the centrifugal basket.l

f Another object of this invention is to v'provide a centrifugal washing machine with a reversible motorfeffective to vproduce centrifugal drying action when the motor is rotatedrin one direction and to produce agitation of the clothes when the motor is rotated in another direction. Another object of this invention isto provide a compact arrangement of centrifugal basket, agitator, *pumpfand motor Aso that the machine is automatically effective todischarge water into a sink or other elevated outlet. Another object of this invention is to provide ai centrifugal machine which is automatically counterbalanced above the criticalfspeed, and in which deflections are limited below the critical Another-object of thisinvention is to provide lan" improved hot and` cold water flow control "meansffor automatically supplying the desired amount of watertothe machine y Further objects and advantages of the` present inventionwill be apparent from thel following description, reference Ibeing hadto lthe accom'- panying drawings, wherein a preferredV form of.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the lower part of the machine; i e f Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the machine together with ywater-flow connections;

Fig. 4'is a view in perspective mainly of the brake means for the transmission;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2, vbut in another position; fW Y' Fig. 6 is an enlarged view ofthe damping means effective below critical speed; Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic View showing the lubricantpump; and 7 Y Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig.`6, showing the parts separated, as hereinafter described.` v

In a machine wherein'cl'othes are subjected to 'centrifugal action to remove water from them,

an off-balance distribution of the clothes creates a whipping action during rotation, which is objectionable and leven-dangerous. Such olf-balance distribution of clothes is diiiicult to counteract because it'varies in magnitude and location in the centrifugal basket.

I have invented a Vwashing machine which utilizes the centrifugal principle to wring the clothes, but I have provided eiicient means tocounteract the effect of off-balance distribution of. clothes. In addition I have provided washing means within the centrifugal basket which tends to 'distribute the* clothes Amore or less evenly around the basketf' Thus I have provided a washing machine in which liability of uneven distribution of clothes is reduced vand in which suchv uneven distribution as may occur is eiiiciently counteracted.

To 'accomplish this, my washing machine inv cludesin general, arotatable basket VIII driven by a mechanism I I. These are pivotally or resiliently supported by a resilient supporting means including cylindrical' support I2,A preferably made of rubber or a similar resilient material. The basket I0 is supported above on said resilient support I2 while thepower casing or/sleeve yII is suspended below `from said resilient support I2. g I

An agitatorYV I3 is: located inside of the A.basket I0 andV is reciprocated. preferably vertically by means of a shaft I4. This agitator preferably is rapidly reciprocated at about 300 cyclesl per minute with an amplitude of about y11/2 inch when the size of the washing machine is suitable for domestic purposes. 4The agitator is provided with a flexible collar. I5, made of rubber or the like at Aits lower periphery which increases the agitating 'p'owerjori the downward stroke. The oscil1a.. tios"ai'e' sumciently'rapid to'produce a toroidal 33 near the point where they mesh (Fig: 7) and this cage 4I is connected to a pipe 42 `which is directed at the parts to be lubricated, such as the knuckle'joint 36. In addition, a cup 43 is provided to .catch splashed oil dripping from the lug 44 to provide additional lubrication as indicated. Plug 40h is provided for draining the oil from the' casing. I f

The centrifugal basket preferably is made-to retain liquid while the basket is stationary, and discharge itfwhen the basket is rotated. To this end, the basket is made with an outer imperforate cup 50 and an inner perforate cup 5 I. These cups may be welded together at 53, where the outer cup 50 terminates. This structure is supported, by rubber cushions 54, on a suporting plate or spider 55 which is keyed to the shaft 24 at 3|. The outer cup 5I retains the liquid. The preferred charge of liquid is to a level slightly above the holes 56. When theV basket is rotated water is discharged over the rim 51 of the cup 50. The hub 55a of the spider 55 is locked on the shaft 24 between the inner ring 55h of the thrust bearing 55e and the nut 24a threaded on the shaft 24. The outer ring 55d of the thrust vbearing 55e is locked between the ange IIa of the casing II and the plate I2b, thus aiding in supporting vthe basket I0, shaft 24 and cage 23 by `means of the thrust bearing 55o.

The perforations 58and B0 cooperate with the perforations'58, during agitation, to produce a preliminary. separation of floating particles in the pocket;58. The toroidal action produced by the agitator I3, as indicated byv the arrows 8|, causes a certain amount of the water to flow outwardly through the perforations 68 and 58 into the space between the cups 50 and 5I,'and toreturn into the interior of cup 5I through the openings 56.. However, because of the quiescent condition in the uper part of pocket 58, the lighter particles of scum and the like are retained in a floating condition in the uper part of the pocket 59.

A skimming, action is provided at the beginning of the centrifugal action. This skimming action is produced by the fact that a. large'amount of water rushes through the openings 60 at a. time when a vortex is produced in the water in the inner tub 5I by the rotation of the tub.v Scum and other floating particles Vtend to float tothe bottom of the vortex from whence they are skimmed or drawn by the rush of water through the opeings 50 before the floating particles have an opportunity to settle on the clothes which are at that time against the middle portion of the basket, near the holes 58.

The counterbalancing action of the weight I1 is effective from a time slightly above thecritical speed of the machine to the maximum speed of the machine. In order to prevent extreme defiection of the basket at critical speed or below, a damper 18 is provided. This damper 10 may be made of resilient material, such as rubber. It may be secured to the lower portion 1I ofthe base of the machine and-also to the lower Aportion 12 of the casing II. YThe internal friction of this block of rubber, together with its stretchlng limit, provides a resistance to extreme deflections o f the basket. This resistance-is effective at the critical speed and at speeds below critical speed. If desired, the block need not be secured to the lower part of the casing I I; lbut may be made of such size that the lower part of the casing II rests on the block 10 when the tub ls filled with water. Y The block 10 is then effective to limit oscillations or deections while the tub is full of water and is being accelerated. After the tub begins to discharge water, the weight of the basket is decreased and the collar I2 lifts the lower part of the casing II from the block 10, as shown in Fig. 8. This allows the basket, motor, etc., to swing freely about the collar I2 at high speeds. At these high speeds the weight I1 becomesveffective to counterbalance any uneven load in the machine.

Automatic controls for the machine may be provided. To this end a timer 15, such as disclosed in the patent to Dyer, 2,331,897, is provided which is connected to the power lines 16. A winding and setting handle 11 is provided which sets the timer to close certain contacts in the timer at the correct intervals of time to distribute electrical power as required by the machine. The lines 18, passing through lead in opening 18a (Fig. 2) are connected to the motor, and the timer 15 sends power throughv these lines to rotate the motor in one direction when agitation is required and to rotate the motor in the opposite direction when rotation is required; The timer is also connected by lines 19 with solenoid valves 88 and 8|. Thevalves 88 and 8I control the Water from the hot water connection 82 and the cold water connection 83 into the tub. Thek timer maintains the valves 80 and 8I ropen for the correct length of time to fill the tub. Variations in city water pressure are compensated by a constant pressure valve 84 which maintains a constant pressure in the line 85 and thus permits the fixed orifice 86 to produce a uniform velocity of water-flow at the nozzle 81 into the tub.` By this constructionr the valves and 8I may be timed by the timer 15 to ll the tub to the correct level regardless of variations in city water pressure. The hot water connection 82 is connected to a hot water by-pass 88 and is also connected to a thermostatic mixing valve 88. The cold water connection 83 is connected to the mixing valve 88, which mixing valve is connected to the tepid or mixed water line 80. The thermostatic valve 88 controls the flow of cold and hot water into the valve so that the mixed water is of the desired temperature. The lines 88 and 80 are connected to a common chamber 88a. The chamber 80a dischargesv into the constant pressure valve 84.

VBy the action of the above automatic'controls, the clothes may be placed in the basket and the timer 15 set by the handle 11. Soap may be introduced into the basket. Thereafter the controls introduce a proper amount of hot water into the tub and the agitator is then operated for the required length of time to wash the clothes.l Reciprocation of the agitator is then stopped and the basket is rotated to discharge the washing fluid into the trough 8I from whence it iiows through flexible hose 82 to the pump 83 at the lower end of the motor, and the water may be discharged through the outlet 84 and the flexible hose to a sink or other elevated `outlet. Thereafter the tub is filled with a rst hot rinse followed by the short agitation and a rsubsequent centrifugal action. If desired a second tepid rinse, agitation and final rotation may be provided. All of these sequences may be produced by the timer V15 which, is old per se'and is well known in the art, and hence is not further described.

The rubber ring I8 may beV vulcanized to the support I8 and to the counterbalancing ring I1.

Preferably the ring I8 is vulcanized toa 'separate rios: 18a. to which the ring H. may be secured by bQlts Mib` 'lhe ring; Ita-lso serves te aid, in damping ver-V tical vibrations due to thev vertical rec-iprocation offthe agitator i3. This.y is. accomplished by Yesliencyof supportingring I3, which allows the ring l1 to vibrate vertically while tbeaeitetor It. is reciproeating,l and thus. tends to damp Vertical vibrations in the machine. In this embodiment the ring I8 is under compression, which aids in its efficiency as a vertical vibration damper.

The ring l1. :is shown supported adjacent the` tub structure. However, the rpog, or corresponding weight may be Supported anywheleV where it is effective. to. perform its functions. f

The outer cabinet 95 preferably ismadeof: a piece of sheet metal bent into reetaneularor circular cross-section to which the combined trough .and machineasupport 9|, is welded. n, collar 98 is placed at the. top whichr may be readily removable, if desired. A cover 99 rests on the collar 98.

The collar I2 may be reinforced by a steel ring l2a' to prevent buckling., The ring; [2g may be. vulcanized to the rubber portions of ,ring Likewise; 4the ring 12b may be. vulcanized to the upper edge of ring l2l and may, in turn, be secured by bolts |20 vto, the top of mechanism ing.. l l..

The following sizes able machine are given by way of ample not with any intention of being limited by the. specific information thus given. The-tub; 5i)` may be 29.. inchesy atits greatest diameter and may` have a depth ofy 111/2 inches from the bottom of the Vtub to the rim 5l.. The agita-tor I3 may be 9. inches high from its highest point` to the low-- est. point, of the flange 15,. The; agitator flange, t5' may be 9 inches in diameter, and may be mail@ of rubber of 40 durometer hardness. The da. ..1 eter of; the upper cylindrical portion of the agitator may be 3 inches- The weight il may have an external diameter of 15. inches, and a Weight of. 6.0 lbs. The rubber submit l may ari. external diameter oi 8 inehes, and its thickness chosen sov as; to give a period of vibration as previously disclosed. The tub may` be rotated at 1146 R. P. M., and the weight il may escillate, between :115Go and 126.6 oscillations per minute', The mechanism casing i! may have a height of; approximately 20 inches. and the structure below the collar I2 may have a weight ofl approximately 105 lbs.. Certain features disclosedherein are claimed. in other of my applications. andfnatents inaccord'anoe with requirements for division. The tub fil-ling features are claimedin my co.- pcnding application S. N. 489,987. Features of theonefway clutch 28, 35 etc., per so, are claimed in my copending application S. N. 5241.695., now- Patent No. 2,461,629, February-15, 1.9491. Features and proportions. fora suit.-

might. be. adopted, as may. come Within the 'Store et the claims` which follfew What is .claimed is as fvllowsf 1. A centrifugal machine .including afirme Ineens.. a movable assembly Comprising `a vertical basket. and. driving. means. located. below .Said basket.. for rotating Said. basket generally uren a. vertical axis, a damping means extending-` between the lower portion of said driving means and; said frame means Said damning means have lng, means. fQlmrig a. plurality of relatively, mov-.- abley generally horizontal. rictional surfaces mainsr tained in contact with; each other solely by downward grav-it,ationalV and upward resilient reaction,A and a resilient supporting means ex,- tend-ing trom said frame means for upwardly supporting saidmovable assembly adjacent the upper end of; the driving means.

2:. A centrifugal machine including a.` frame member, a movable member comprising a vertical basket land driving means located below'said` basket for rotating said basket generally upon a vertical. axis, a damping; means extending be.- tween the lower portionY of said movable member and said frame member, said damping means including resilient. means. between said membersv below said driving means, and a. second. resilient means. extending from said frame. member to said movable member intermediate saidv basket and driving means and supporting said movable member from said frame member, said rst f named resilient means being secured to one `of off the drive mechanism in casing H, per se, are e tator,4 and drive shaft are. claimed copendingI Y application S. N. 536,097.

t `While the-.form of embodiment or" the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms7 l" said membersand being of limited expansion and thickness. toy be separable. from the other of said members while liquid is centriiugally discharged 'from said basket. f

3. A centrifugal machine including a frame member, a movable member comprising a vertie cal basket and driving means located below said basket for` rotating saidY basket generally upon a vertical axis, a resilient means extending from said frame member to said .movable memberin termediate said basket and driving means. and upwardly supporting said movable member, a snubber resilient means secured to one of said members and. having a horizontal frictional relatively movable surface contact with the other of said members, said `frctional contact being maintained solely by downward gravitational and upward resilient reaction.

KENDALL CLARK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Dyer x.- May 8, 1945 

